What is sinus?
These are hollow cavities or spaces in the facial bones, around the nose, eyes, and cheeks, lined with a layer of mucosa. Mucous forms in these spaces, and it usually drains down the nasal passage and the throat.
It helps humidify the respiratory systems and also drains away pollens and such harmful deposits from the nasal passage and the throat.
In all, there are four sinus cavities:
- The frontal sinus located on the front part of the forehead.
- The ethmoid sinus is between the eyes.
- The sphenoid sinus is in the bones behind the nose.
- The maxillary sinus is the largest and located in the cheekbones.
Because of infection in the mucosa membrane of the nasal passage, the mucous drain gets obstructed. As a result of this, a severe headache and pain around the sinus develop. Also, In some instances, pus forms. But everything is choked in the sinus, and it is known as sinusitis. Quite often than not, people use ‘Sinus’ and ‘sinusitis’ to mean the same thing. But technically they are different.
Relief from sinusitis
The challenge is how to get sinus headache relief. And secondly, how to drain sinuses? Pain killers and medicines do work, but for a limited time and in severe cases, Physicians prescribe antibiotics.
The acupressure has simple and effective therapy to relieve sinus pressure. It also helps drain the sinus and manage the headache.
Yin Tang
Stimulation of this point eases the headache and drains mucous also. The point is located right between the eyebrows on the forehead, in line with the nose.
Press your tongue to the roof of the mouth cavity. Then press the Yin Tang point using your forefinger for about 20 to 25 seconds. Release the finger pressure and, at the same time, lower your tongue.
Repeat the whole process for 4 – 5 times. As a variation, you can alternate the point stimulation and tongue movement instead of doing it together.
Because of the tongue movement and the stimulation, the vomer bone (which connects the nasal passage and throat) moves and facilitates the draining of the mucous. It works on the congestion in the frontal sinus.
BI 2
It is a very prominent point located on the bony structure between the nose and the eyebrow on the lower forehead. It is just above the inner corner of the eye on the skull bone. There is one point each on either side of the nose.
Press these points with thumb and rotate it about the position for about 30 seconds, then release it for a count of 10 and repeat. In all, repeat the whole process for about 4 – 5 times. It will ease the pressure in the ethmoid sinus. Along with a reduction in pain, it helps to drain the sinus also.
Once done with the BI 2 point, use your forefinger and thumb to pinch the center of the eyebrow for about twenty seconds. Slide your fingers down till the outer end of the eye. Press the eye socket from the bottom at the end of the eye. This additional massage of the eyebrow dramatically reduces the headache.
LI 20
This point is at the junction where the nostril meets the cheekbone. The pressure and pain in the Sphenoid sinus reduce on stimulation of this point. It also recognized by the name ‘Welcome Fragrance.’
Use your forefinger to press this point for about 10 seconds, and after that, rotate this point clockwise and anticlockwise for another 20 seconds. Stimulate both the LI 20 points at the same time. In all, repeat the whole process 6 – 8 times.
SI 18
Find the highest point of your cheekbone. Move a little further down below the cheekbone. You can locate the SI 18 point here in the depression in line with the lowest part of the nose.
With your thumb, apply upward pressure on this point. Effectively, it will feel like you are pushing the cheekbone up. Hold the force for 30 seconds, and then release it. Repeat it a couple of times.
It evidently works the maxillary sinus. It is the biggest sinus, and drainage of this sinus provides excellent relief.
He Gu
In acupressure therapy, this pressure point provides relief from several ailments. In the case of sinusitis, stimulation of this point relieves nasal congestion and provides comfort from facial pain.
This point is available on both hands. Stimulate one point at a time. Hold all the fingers of the hand on the left together tightly. A crease line forms between the forefinger and the thumb. At the end of this line, the skin pops up a little. Here is the He Gu point.
With the forefinger and the thumb of the other hand, pinch this point hard and hold for 30 seconds and then release it for 10 seconds. Repeat 3 – 4 times.
Do the whole process with the He Gu point on the other hand.
LU 9
The throat congestion and discomfort are relieved by stimulation of this point. This point is on both hands.
Hold the hand with palm facing up. This point is located on the crease at the wrist, in line with the root of the thumb. With the thumb of the other hand, press the LU 9 and hold it for 10 -15 seconds and release it for 5 seconds. Repeat again for 5 – 6 times. Remember to stimulate LU 9, on the other hand, also.
Tai Chong
Tai Chong, located on foot, this point helps relieve the pain and stress around the eyes. Also, Tai Chong situated on the line formed between the big toe and the toe next to it. Trace this line till the point the toes join the metatarsal. Just before this joint, there is a depression, and the Tai Chong point lies there.
Press and release this point with the thumb six to eight times. Repeat on the other foot also. Pain around the eyes eases out.
To select the pressure points, take into view its effect on the various sinus and pain in a different region. Stimulation of these points claims to drain sinus and relief in pain.
Being simple in approach and procedure, you can try it anytime, anywhere. You just need your fingers for this safe and effective therapy. It is quite possible; with this therapy, you can do away with the medication and be relieved of the severe discomfort of sinusitis.